Size and SDVOSB status recertification on existing contracts

Your SDVOSB certification and your status on a specific contract are separate things. Even while you're certified, the rules require you to recertify your size and SDVOSB status on existing contracts at certain moments (13 CFR 125.12).

When you must recertify

Trigger	Deadline
Merger, acquisition or sale that changes the controlling interest	Within 30 days of the transaction
Contract or order longer than five years	No more than 120 days before the end of year five, and before each option after that
The contracting officer asks	When asked, for that contract or order

The contract clause at FAR 52.219-28 sets the long-contract window at 60 to 120 days before the end of year five.

What happens if you no longer qualify

Recertifying as "other than small" or "not SDVOSB" doesn't end the contract, but it changes how the agency can use it:

• Single-award contracts: the agency can generally still exercise options, but it no longer counts the work toward its small business or SDVOSB goals.
• Set-aside multiple-award contracts: you may be barred from new set-aside orders and options. These stricter rules took full effect on January 17, 2026.

Keep these straight

• VetCert recertification happens every three years with SBA. See the VetCert recertification guide.
• Material-change reports go to SBA within 30 days of a change. See material-change reporting.
• Contract recertification (this guide) goes to the contracting officer and SAM.gov for specific contracts.

A merger can trigger all three.

Official sources

• 13 CFR 125.12: recertification rules
• 13 CFR 128.401: VetCert contracting rules
• FAR 52.219-28: the recertification clause